- Singapore has proposed sweeping changes to its road traffic laws, under which motorists who deliberately cause a fatal crash could face up to 15 years in jail, along with caning, a fine and a lifetime driving ban.
- The proposed amendments were introduced in Parliament by Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann, who said road accidents have "serious and irreversible consequences" but are preventable, and said the accident rate and fatality numbers need to come down.
- The proposed law introduces a new offence called purposeful endangerment, applying when a motorist deliberately uses a vehicle to endanger another person; offenders could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine, discretionary caning and possible forfeiture of the vehicle used in the offence.
- Singapore plans to expand technology-based traffic enforcement: Traffic Violation Enforcement Cameras with video analytics and automatic number plate recognition will detect offences such as running red lights, crossing double white lines, stopping in yellow boxes and ignoring directional signs; during trials, nine such cameras detected 67,000 traffic violations between April 2025 and February 2026.
Singapore's proposed amendments to road traffic laws aim to address a troubling rise in fatalities, with 149 deaths in 2025, the highest in a decade. The new legislation, introduced by Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann, includes a 15-year prison sentence for motorists who deliberately cause fatal crashes.123
The proposed law introduces a new offence called purposeful endangerment, targeting motorists who intentionally use their vehicles to endanger others, potentially leading to death. Offenders could face up to 15 years in prison, fines, caning, and vehicle forfeiture. This initiative follows a high-profile case where a driver swerved into a motorcycle, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old.45
In comparison, India's Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 stipulates a maximum of five years' imprisonment for causing death by rash or negligent acts, with hit-and-run cases attracting up to 10 years. Singapore's reforms also include stricter drink-driving laws, reducing the breath alcohol limit from 35 to 15 micrograms per 100 ml of breath and the blood alcohol limit from 80mg to 30mg per 100 ml.
Additionally, Singapore plans to enhance traffic enforcement through technology, deploying cameras equipped with video analytics to detect violations. During trials, these cameras identified 67,000 traffic violations from April 2025 to February 2026, underscoring the need for stricter regulations to improve road safety.678
“The proposal creates a new 'purposeful endangerment' offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison, fines, caning and vehicle forfeiture. Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann said road accidents are preventable, adding, "Our accident rate and fatality numbers need to come down."”
CNBC TV18
